The Office Collection Special Edition

This holiday season celebrate with The Office Collection Special Edition available on November 22.  Written and created by Golden Globe winners Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the DVD Special Edition features the complete, original UK series plus all new bonus features.

BBC AMERICA first introduced U.S. audiences to the comedy genius of Ricky and Stephen when it premiered the show in 2003.  At its launch The New York Times called it “pretty much the funniest show ever” while Newsweek declared it the “best comedy on television.”  It went on to win two Golden Globes, inspire the U.S. version on NBC and continues to influence the tone and look of everything from television comedy and movies to commercials and pop culture at large. 

The Special Edition DVD has all 12 episodes and the 2-part Holiday Special with bonus features including:

·         The original pilot

·         Six specially recorded introductions of every episode  from Season 1 by Ricky and Stephen

·         An exclusive documentary  Comedy Connections: The Office which traces the history of the show

·         Interviews with the original cast including Ricky, Stephen, Lucy Davies, Mackenzie Crook, Martin Freeman and Ewen Macintosh as well as celebrity fans Ben Stiller, Christopher Guest, Matthew Perry, Richard Curtis and David Baddiel.

Check out the official site.

Here is a clip of Ricky Gervais, as David Brent, "cheering up" an employee on his 30th birthday:

Ricky Gervais shines as slimy, clueless boss David Brent in the "docusoap" series The Office. The premise of the show is that a documentary film crew is recording the daily goings-on of the paper company Wernham Hogg in lovely industrial Slough.  The title credits show a gray, boring, office in the middle of a gray, boring town.  David Brent is the Managing Director of the company, but he never seems to do much work beyond annoying employees and making them feel uncomfortable.  He is never shy about addressing the viewer directly and imparting his vast wisdom on how to motivate employees to get the best out of them, while at the same time lightening the mood all round by being an "entertainer."  The David Brent character does become a more sympathetic character as the series evolves and his odd behavior catches up to him.

This Special Edition collection of the program consists of 4 disks which include both seasons of the series, as well as the series finale, a 2-part Christmas episode shown in 2003. One disk contains the original pilot episode, with actors who didn't continue on to the main series.  It is interesting to see David Brent in all his original glory, when the principle actors had no idea that this project would evolve into a series!  This disk also includes an interesting documentary with an interview with creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant discussing how the program came to be, and how unenthused the-powers-that-be at the BBC were at the beginning.

The first season's episodes are all introduced by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais discussing various aspects of the show, illustrated by clips from the series.   The very first episode also features short clips of various well-known actors, including Ben Stiller, Christopher Guest and Matthew Perry discussing their admiration for the innovative and influential show.  It was a little difficult for me at times to figure out when the reminiscences had ended and the actual episode began, though!

Some of the other actors who appear in the series have also become famous since the airing of the show.  Martin Freeman (Dr. Watson and soon to be Bilbo Baggins) plays Tim, who seems to be the only person interested in doing any actual work at Wernham Hogg.  He is constantly thwarted in his efforts to concentrate by his annoying cubicle-mate (although they are unfortunately missing the walls which might have made the situation bearable) Gareth, played by Mackenzie Crook, best know for his role as a somewhat ramshackle pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.  The other main character is the receptionist Dawn, who is part of a love-triangle between the mild-mannered Tim and her tough boyfriend Lee.  Lucy Davis (known for coaching her fellow survivors on how to play zombie in Shaun of the Dead) plays the conflicted Dawn.

The disk containing the final episodes of the series also contains the documentary Closed for Business, where Gervais and Merchant and the various actors discuss why they decided to end the show at that point.  The Christmas episodes were intended to be the series finale, so there are no cliffhangers that never get resolved or other annoying plot holes.

New and old fans will enjoy this full series of the iconic British series.  Fans of the American version of The Office will enjoy seeing where it all began! 

On a side note, I was very pleased to note the Eastenders reference in the first episode (Rickaaay!). Just one iconic show paying tribute to another!

Disclaimer:  I was provided a review copy of The Office Collection Special Edition by BBC.

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Taking a green thumb too far

I'm a huge fan of Ruth Rendell, so I was thrilled to find her latest novel, Tigerlily's Orchids, at my local library.  Although she has stopped writing about Inspector Wexford, her "one off" novels have always also been quite enjoyable.

The latest novel takes place in a block of flats in London.  The gorgeous and spoiled Stuart Font has used an inheritance from an aunt to purchase a flat and also to avoid getting a job.  He decides to throw himself a housewarming party and invite the other residents of the building.  Stuart is having an affair with a married woman, Claudia, who has a violently unstable husband.  The other residents of the building all have their own problems and secrets. Olwen, an older lady who just wants to be left in peace so that she can drink herself to death, naturally attends the party for the free alcohol on offer.  Rose and Marius are two aging "hippies" who once had a one-night stand, but are now just neighbors.  Michael Constantine, a doctor who is in trouble for writing facually incorrect medical articles, attends with his wife Katie.  The three single girls sharing a flat also wouldn't miss a party, and the cleaning lady Richenda and her caretaker husband Wally also show up (although they weren't exactly invited).  Not long after the party starts, Claudia's jealous husband Freddy shows up, and the party breaks up when Freddy attacks Stuart.  Stuart ends up with a broken arm.

Adding to this cast of characters is Duncan, a retired mechanic who lives across the street.  Duncan observes the comings and goings of the residents of Stuart's building, as well as the odd events in the house next door.  It is occupied by what appears to be a family of Chinese immigrants.  Duncan doesn't have any contact with them.  Oddly, his house is always sweltering, even on the warmest days.

One day, Stuart is in a shop when he spots the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.  He doesn't speak to her, but continues to watch for her.  Not suprisingly, at this point his relationship with Claudia begins to fizzle out (although Claudia isn't too happy about this).  Eventually, he learns that the beautiful girl is part of the "family" that live across the street, next to Duncan. He is able to speak with the girl (whom he calls "Tigerlily") and asks her to meet him.  She doesn't speak much English, but agrees to meet him.  On their "date," she asks Stuart to help her get a passport.  Her "family" is very strict, and she must hide her meetings with Stuart from them.

In the meantime, one of the party girls, Molly, has fallen madly in love with Stuart and decided that she will take on the job of cleaning his flat for him since he is injured.  Stuart barely acknowledges her existence.

Stuart has arranged another meeting with Tigerlily in a park.  The next day, he is found murdered in the park, and there's no shortage of possible suspects.  The first to come to mind is the enraged Freddy, but there's also Tigerlily's "dad," who doesn't like her talking to strange men.  Or could there be someone else with a grudge against Stuart??

In amongst all this activity are woven different social issues:  illegal immigration, drug trafficking, modern day slavery, substance abuse, even pedophilia!  I do love Ruth Rendell, but this book might have benefitted from about half the number of characters and issues that were included!

Final verdict for Tigerlily's Orchids:   Three gherkins, for a page-turning but ultimately too busy story

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Thatcher winner

Thanks to everyone who entered my contest to win a copy of "The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher."

The lucky winner is:

Mysharona

Congratulations and happy watching!  Watch this space for future giveaways!

 

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The Iron Lady Strikes Again!

Margaret Thatcher certainly played a vital part in the history of the United Kingdom.  As Prime Minister all throughout the 1980s, she steered Britain toward a more conservative course.  Gain insight into the life of the controversial and inspiring woman who led the United Kingdom for more than ten years. The BBC released The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher on DVD October 18.  Here is a synopsis of the program:

Synopsis:

Gain insight into the life of the controversial and inspiring woman who led the United Kingdom for more than ten years as the BBC releases The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher on DVD this October. Featuring three outstanding productions - The Long Walk to Finchley, The Falkland’s Play and Margaret - on two discs, this fascinating collection follows the political career of the former Prime Minister. Andrea Riseborough (Made in Dagenham, Happy Go Lucky), Patricia Hodge (The Legacy of Reginald Perrin, Miranda) and Lindsay Duncan (Doctor Who, Rome) respectively tackle the role of the Iron Lady in these films. Arriving at retail on October 18, The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher is a must-own DVD set for all history buffs and Anglophiles alike.

Riseborough’s portrayal of a young Margaret Roberts in The Long Walk to Finchley, was hailed as “breathtaking, giving Thatcher humor, drive and real sex appeal” by the London Evening Standard. The intriguing film reveals her steely determination as an ambitious twenty-something research chemist on the first rungs of the ladder to Parliament.  Eager to speak her mind and be selected to a “winnable” Tory seat in the 1950s, The Long Walk to Finchley imagines what might have gone on behind the scenes during Thatcher’s ten-year struggle to gain a seat in Parliament.

Lauded by The Guardian as, “a thrilling piece of drama which challenged prejudices and preconceptions,” The Falkland’s Play chronicles the backroom story of Margaret Thatcher’s war. Once deemed too controversial to produce, this compelling production depicts a gripping account of how the leaders at 10 Downing Street faced one of their biggest crises in foreign affairs.

Finally, Margaret examines the downfall of the Prime Minister after her election to a third term. One of the most formidable figures in British politics, the film ultimately reveals that the very aspects of her character that helped her secure power were also the ones that ensured her decline. The Daily Express praised the film as “riveting viewing…Lindsay Duncan plays her as sharp as a ferret, with the eyes of a lynx and the manner of an aged, furious tiger.”

One of the defining crises of Thatcher's tenure occurred during the Falklands crisis. Here is a video showing some "behind the scenes" discussions just as the action was beginning to heat up:

Check out the Official Site and then Own it on Blu-ray!

I have one copy of the DVD of The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher to give away.  To enter, just leave me a comment telling me your favorite leader of all time -- doesn't have to be the leader of a country, just someone who is a strong and inspirational leader!  Be sure and leave your email address so I'll have a way to contact you if you should be the winner.  I'll choose the winner randomly using random.org on Nov. 4.  The winner will have 72 hours to get back to me with their mailing address, or I'll have to choose another winner.  Due to mailing restrictions, the giveaway is only valid for US entries.

Good luck!

Disclaimer:  I was provided a giveaway copy of The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher.

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Good advice for aspiring writers

Although I've never written a book, I am well-aware of the difficulties new writers have in attracting the attention of publishers. The 3rd edition of How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen offers many great tips and examples to help new writers stand out from the crowd and gain the attention of publishers.  The book is extremely thorough and gives plenty of advice on how to make the proposal stand out from the crowd.  The chapters in the book include such topics as how to create a "hook," how to plan a promotion and marketing campaign and how to create an outline.  There is also a style guide included to help focus the attention of the writer onto "action" words and active voice constructions that will help make the proposal more dynamic.  The appendices in the back of the book are helpful, if somewhat intimidating.  The examples of proposals seem to be almost as long and involved as the books themselves!  For instance, a sample proposal includes a table of contents, an overview of the work, outlines of chapters and selections from the proposed book.  The proposals also include suggested markets for the work, overviews of competing book, a mission statement and suggestions for future "spin-offs."  I really had no idea that so much had to be included on a proposal, or that the finished product was so involved!  One thing I liked about the book was that each chapter began with a "Golden Rule" which offered a short snippet of advice from the chapter, and each chapter has relevant "Hot Tips" scattered throughout.  One thing I found odd with the book is that in several places cartoons were described in detail (including where it appeared and who the author was) -- why not just include the cartoon itself?  But that's a minor quibble!  Overall the book was packed with advice and the examples of proposals included will give budding writers an extremely detailed model to follow when preparing their own proposals.

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You won't want to take this one

OK, this is a weird one.  I am, as I think most right-thinking individuals are, a huge Robson Green fan.  So I frequently browse Netflix to see if there are any new films featuring him that I haven't seen yet.  I was intrigued to see the "thriller" Take Me listed.  I wasn't really sure what to expect, so I was intrigued to see the series open with Mr. Green and another man in tuxedos in the middle of the woods digging what appears to be a grave.  Hmm, this could be interesting . . .

Unfortunately, no.  The series consists of 6 45-minute episodes, and it really doesn't need to be that long.  The story begins (after the grave-digging scene) with Jack and Kay Chambers moving into a huge newly built house.  It soon comes to light that Kay has been having an affair, and the move to the new house is part of a new beginning for the couple and their two children.

Jack and Kay soon make the acquaintance of their neighbors across the street, the exotically beautiful Andrea and her somewhat slimy husband Doug (who works as a crime scene photographer).  Another neighbor, Lilian, has supposedly gone away on a long vacation to New Zealand.  For various reasons, Jack begins to suspect that perhaps she has actually been killed, and that Doug had something to do with it.  Of course, when he voices his suspicions to his wife Kay, she is dismissive and impatient.  If the story had stuck to this formula (perhaps with more suspicious disappearances being somehow linked to Doug), I think the series could have been interesting.

Instead, it veered off into strange territory.  Soon after moving in to their new house, Jack and Kay are invited to a party at Andrea and Doug's house.  The party is very crowded, and it soon becomes apparent that the purpose of the party is for everyone to engage in a little wife-swapping.  Jack and Kay are surprised and quickly make their getaway, laughing about the whole thing.  Soon afterwards, Jack is driving his daughter home from school when they happen to glimpse Kay leaving a hotel with Jack's best friend.  So what is the fallout of the discovery of this betrayal?  Jack demands that they attend more wife-swapping parties and participate, and Kay agrees to go along with it. SAY WHAT??

So then we are treated to the somewhat ridiculous spectacle of the two of them attending parties where people are quickly, randomly paired off, then retreat to bedrooms with their new partners.  We're never actually shown what Kay gets up to, but Jack doesn't seem to be interested in participating in the activities, even though he does go along with it.  When Jack and Kay are together, they are both unhappy and depressed.  But they keep going to the parties.

Throw into the mix Jack's relationship with his estranged father, who moves in with the family and then suffers serious health problems.  There's also some confusing information about Jack's job, which is very well-paid and apparently involves buying out local, family-owned companies for very little money, and then selling them to large corporations which dismantle the companies and fire everyone.  It was all very confusing.  Jack's job was on the line (so his boss glowering told him many times), but that didn't stop him from creating public scenes in front of clients and behaving in other irrational and totally unbelievable ways.

Fast forward to, oh, the last 15 minutes or so, which are, to give the writers credit, somewhat action packed, if illogical.  After all the mysteries are solved and the loose ends tied up, there is one final twist which, I'm sure, was supposed to leave the audience gasping.  Yawning, more like.

I guess every actor has a few inexplicable choices on his or her resume, and this seems to be one of those misfires.  Still, the scenery was lovely (both shots of the countryside/houses and Mr. Green), so it wasn't a total loss!

Final verdict for Take Me:   Two gherkins, for a promising start, but too many illogical plot twists to have a satisfying outcome

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Work meetings

Summer is over, so that means it's time for our annual in-service meetings at work.  It's always great to see everyone, especially those who work at other sites that I hardly ever get to see.  This year the first day of our meetings was held at the lovely Benham School House Inn in Benham, KY.  We've had meetings there before, so that's why I was startled to see this sign in the parking lot:

Luckily, no bears made an appearance.  It must have been due to the heat.  When I got back to my car in the afternoon, I was greeted with this alarming sight:

I'm already looking forward to the cooler fall weather, even though that also means it will be football time in Tennessee, and therefore an inescapable orange frenzy for the rest of the year. 



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Dr Who Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of my Dr. Who, Series 6, Part 1 giveaway! The lucky winners were:

April

Erica C.

canneryrowdoc

The winners have been notified.  Thanks to everyone who entered. 

Watch for more giveaways soon!

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Top Gear Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of my Top Gear:The Complete First Season giveaway!  They were:

mar


gene


rachel

The winners have been notified.  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Watch this space for other upcoming giveaways!

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At least the weather's improving

I'm often bemoaning to anyone who will listen that there are no good travel writers besides Bill Bryson.  His mix of humor and personal disaster is hard to replicate, apparently.  That's why I was thrilled to read the new collection of essays More Postcards from across The Pond: Dispatches from an Accidental Expat by Michael Harling.  Harling explores his life as an American transported to Britain with a mix of humor and affection for his adopted land that makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Much like his previous book Postcards from Across the Pond, the day to day difficulties of adjusting to life in a foreign (if mostly familiar) country are explored.  It's also very interesting that, as an "outsider" (even one with newly-minted dual citizenship), Harling is able to notice how quickly Britain is changing, and not always for the better.  Not only can you now find Krispy Kremes without too much difficulty (great for the taste buds if not for the waistline), but American holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween are frequently celebrated (if not fully comprehended) in modern Britain. 

This book contains some humorous examples of Harling's travels with his wife on vacation (as well as for work) that don't always go smoothly.  A beach side holiday on the island of Fuerteventura proves that early visitors to the isle weren't kidding when they christened it "Great Wind."  Although the temperature was balmy, swimming and even sleeping turned out to be impossible due to the constant gale-force winds.  The accommodations also required a great deal of minor repairs -- done by the guests -- to make the stay possible. 

Not only does Harling have to deal with holiday DIY disasters, but his flat in Britain (described as being "constructed at the close of the Boer War") also requires occasional updating.  This proves to be easier said than done when it comes to actually contacting the landlord and actually scheduling appointments for repairs.

Even everyday commutes are not without problems, as buses keep somewhat, er, flexible schedules, train timetables leave just seconds for connections to be made, and taxi drivers cannot comprehend an American accent.

It's very interesting to note the things that Harling already misses from his early years in Britain, among them plain scones (which are apparently being overtaken by the raisin and cheese varieties), the multi-culturalism of his neighbors (now nearly all young families from the same country, India), and the demise of the traditional pub.  There is also a tide of "modernization" sweeping the country in terms of the availability of goods (well, American goods at least), wide availability of things such as air conditioning and dishwashing machines, and relaxed pub opening hours (when you can find a pub).

I really enjoy reading these "postcards" for their look at everyday life in a changing Britain. I'm already looking forward to "Even More Postcards from Across the Pond" from Mr. Harling! (hint, hint!)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of More Postcards from Across the Pond from the author

Final Verdict for More Postcards from Across the Pond:   Five Gherkins, for being a very funny look at daily life across the pond

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Win Dr. Who Series 6 DVDs!

One of the most beloved British TV series is out with a new edition on DVD! On July 19, the first part of the new acclaimed season of Doctor Who: Series 6, Part 1.

About the DVD:

Doctor Who: Series 6, Part 1, a two-disc DVD and Blu-ray set, contains the first seven episodes along with two Monster files, “The Gangers” and “The Silence,” two of the Doctor’s most challenging opponents.
In the season opener, “The Impossible Astronaut,” four envelopes are received, numbered 2, 3 and 4, each containing a date, time and map reference, unsigned, but in TARDIS blue. Who sent them? And who received the missing number one? This strange summons reunites the Doctor (Smith), Amy (Gillan), Rory (Darvill) and River Song (Kingston) in the middle of the Utah desert and unveils a terrible secret the Doctor's friends must never reveal to him. ‘Space 1969’ is their only clue, as their quest lands them - quite literally - in the Oval Office, where they are enlisted by President Nixon himself to assist enigmatic former-FBI agent Canton (Mark Sheppard) in saving a terrified little girl from a mysterious spaceman.

Following the two-parter, the Doctor, Amy and Rory journey on the high seas of 1696 aboard Avery’s (Bonneville) pirate ship to solve the mystery of the Siren (Cole). In a bubble universe at the very edge of reality, the Doctor meets an old friend with a new face, and in a monastery on a remote island in the near future, an industrial accident takes on a terrible human shape. And waiting for them, at the end of all this, is the battle of Demon's Run, and the Doctor's darkest hour. Can even the truth about River Song save the Time Lord's soul? Only two things are certain. Silence will fall. And a good man is going to die...

To whet your appetite for these new episodes, here is a clip with an inside look at one of the episodes from the DVD:

Visit the official site!

Thanks to BBC, I have 3 copies of Dr. Who: Series 6, Part 1 to giveaway! To enter, just leave a comment stating how long you've been a Dr. Who fan. If you're a new or potential fan, that's OK, too! Please be sure that your email address is in your comment or on your profile so I can contact you. Open to the U.S. only. On Aug. 2, I will use random.org to choose the 3 winners. The winners will have 72 hours to respond to my email with their addresses, or I will have to choose another winner! Good luck!

Disclaimer: I was provided 3 copies of Dr. Who, Series 6, Part 1 by BBC for this giveaway

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Top Gear: The Complete First Season Giveaway!

Top Gear fans, rejoice!!  On July 19, the DVD for the first season of the U.S. version of the smash British series Top Gear was released!  Thanks to BBC, I have 3 copies of this great DVD to giveaway.

About the series:

Top Gear races across the pond with the first season of the U.S. version of the world’s most popular car entertainment show. Coming to DVD this July, Top Gear: The Complete First Season, produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, includes all 10 episodes and exclusive DVD extras. The debut 3-disc DVD set features comedian Adam Ferrara, champion rally car and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. The intrepid trio packs the first season with super-cars, extreme stunts and challenges, car reviews, celebrity interviews and, of course, the Stig, Top Gear’s silent and mysterious racing driver. The show is chock-full of high-adrenaline action entertainment as it tracks the colorful history of the automobile as well as the eccentric adventures of its hosts with Top Gear’s customary wit and humor.

In this series, Ferrara, Foust and Wood take on extreme challenges including a moonshine run along a Prohibition route in the Deep South, teaching a blind man to drift a Nissan 370Z and racing a HALO jumper in a Hennessey VelociRaptor across the Arizona desert. The Stig also appears to set definitive “Power Laps” and the team tests some of the world’s fastest cars including a Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, a Porsche Panamera Turbo, an Aston Martin V12 Vantage and more.

Celebrity guests take the wheel in the “Big Star, Small Car” segment including astronaut Buzz Aldrin, actors Ty Burrell (Modern Family) and Dominic Monaghan (Lost), musician Bret Michaels and skateboarder Tony Hawk. Arriving in stores on July 19, Top Gear: The Complete First Season is fully loaded with special features including audio commentary, webisodes and more.

Here is a clip from the DVD:





Check out the official Top Gear site!

To enter to win one of the 3 copies of this great series, just leave a comment letting me know what was your first car?  That's it!  Be sure to include your email address either in the comments section or your profile so that I can contact you.  Open only to the U.S.  The winner will be chosen on Aug. 1 by random.org and will be contacted by email for a mailing address.  If I don't hear back from you within 72 hours, I'll have to choose another winner. 

Good luck!

Disclaimer:  I was provided 3 copies of Top Gear: The Complete First Season by BBC for this giveaway.

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